Every post carrying our UltraNewb tag covers the very basics of a topic, in an attempt to initiate our less experienced readers (i.e., the newbs) into the wonderful world of techno-goodness. These are the posts you can email to your friends or parents to explain the really simple things. If you're thinking: "I've known how to do this for *years*," that's even better! Share your experience with the UltraNewbs out there and/or advance the subject, and make this post an even better resource for our newbs!

So you got a shiny new iPod for a gift this year, huh? Now it's time to actually do something with it.

Other than admiring how utterly precious and wee it is, I've had a brand new 4 GB iPod sitting on my desk doing pretty much nothing for about a week now. However, that's about to change: I'm taking the first step to becoming a savvy iPod user and syncing this sucka to iTunes.

The very first task you need to complete before doing anything else is download and install iTunes onto your machine - you can go to the iTunes site to do that. Once you're all iTunes-d up, you can go on to the next step, full of mysterious USB goodness.

Your iPod comes with a few very important parts: the iPod (duh), headphones, and a USB cable. In order to connect your iPod to iTunes, you are going to have to find the USB port on your computer (usually right in front, parked next to the headphones jack). Once you've found the USB port, plug one end of said cable into the USB port, and the other end into the bottom of your iPod (the wider connection plug is the one that goes into your iPod).

All set? Good. Now, you should see a Setup Assistant wizard pop up onto your screen (if you don't, check that your cable is securely into both USB ports - I had to wiggle mine a bit). The first screen will ask you if you've read iPod safety instructions - let's go with yes.

The second prompt screen in the Wizard gives a name to your iPod (i.e., Wendy's iPod), and lets you know that iTunes can and will automatically sync songs to your iPod every time you log onto your computer. You also have the option here to sync photos, but we're going to just focus on the music.

Click "Finish" and let the iTunes/iPod magic start to work. It's important to NOT disconnect anything - cables, plugs, etc. - while this process is going on - you'll see a message later on both the wizard and your iPod when it's okay to gently remove the cable.

Once you're finished syncing, you can choose to register your iPod now or later. Clicking on "Later" takes you right to your iPod home screen - this is where you can really start to make things happen. Tune into the next UltraNewb bulletin to see exactly how. — Wendy Boswell